As this year’s races get into full swing ORC had members racing at various points in the country. Furthest to travel were husband and wife Phil and Jo Turner who took part in the Chichester 10k. The course starts at Goodwood Motor Circuit and ends with a lap of the circuit. While Jo is an experienced runner currently training for her second ultra marathon, Phil is new to the sport of running, having only joined the club’s beginners group last autumn. With Christmas, followed by a heavy cold restricting Phil’s running recently, he hadn’t had the best preparation, but he was determined to finish his first race which he did in 1hr 04mins accompanied by Jo all the way round.
The great marathon running duo of Roger Voaden and Paul Carter travelled up the M5 to run the Gloucester marathon. This resurrected road race comprises a figure of eight loop and despite being in a hilly county the course is flat with just a few inclines in the main loop. As ever, both runners ran good times, and despite being sent the wrong way near the start, adding an extra 400metres, Roger finished in 3.03.17 to be placed 7th overall and Paul in in 3.08.10. to come 10th.
Nearer home, three ORCs opted for a shorter race, the Fullford’s Five, which is a two lap race around the streets of Exmouth. race has grown in popularity as it not only provides serious runners with a chance to dust off their race shoes and compete over a fast, flat course, but also gives first time runners a race over a distance they feel in manageable. Pete Devenport finished in 13th place overall in a great time of 28.21. Jackie Dawes completed in 40.09 to set a new club age group record for five miles. Sarah Budd-Bell also enjoyed her run, finishing in 55.45.
February’s Run in the Park also took place last Sunday and saw a healthy turnout of runners of all ages take on the 2.5k and 5k course in chilly conditions. Thank you to all the volunteers! The next Run in the Park will be Sunday 5th March starting at 9:30am – we hope to see you there!
Many thanks to Jane for the run report
